Archive | February, 2013

After the community work for the Saturday of the February that was done on the 23rd.Feb.2013 which residents of Nyamugari and Remera cells in Gasaka sector did at Murambi Genocide Memorial site, the mayor of Nyamagabe district asked people to always ensure the sanitation and cleanliness of this memorial site.

The mayor of Nyamagabe district Mr. Philbert Mugisha thanked people who participated in this community work for the work well done. He asked residents of Remera cell to always take a day in the weekly community work and clean the memorial site for the sake of its beauty.

“If we can put the cleanliness of this memorial site in our performing contracts as people of Remera cell, every village to take care of it after the other in the weekly performing contracts, we can achieve it” says the mayor.

Though this memorial site is not under the supervision of the district, it is under the responsibility of the commission that fights against the Genocide in Rwanda. This however, does not take away the residents responsibility to clean it up and maintain its security since I is the resting place for many Rwandans who lost their lives in the 1994 genocide against Tutsi and keeps history for all Rwandans.

“We will not wait for people to come from other provinces to clean this memorial site nor will we disregard its security because they are police officers in charge of that. We have a responsibility to it because it holds the history of many Rwandans especially the former Gikongoro Province” says the mayor.

This memorial site is visited by all kinds of people including Rwandans and foreigners so its cleanliness, its security and other operations are of concern to everyone. Residents that attended this community work to start preparing for 19th mourning period while commemorating Rwandans that died during the 1994 genocide in April 2013.

Akagera National park fencing will be over before March 2013, Jean Bosco Rutayisire; Director of TNH-EME (that is fencing Akagera national park) has said.

Fencing Akagera Park kicked off in May 2012 expecting to it to last in 9 months time in January 2013. Out of 110 kilometers, only 81 have been fenced but the remaining 29 kilometers are expected to be covered before March 2013 ends.

Explaining on the reasons for delayed completion, Rutayisire revealed that fencing materials took long to reach Rwanda as they were purchased from South Africa and China.

In addition, park fences could sometimes reach on residents pieces of land, which made RDB to shift residents and compensate them before the fencing proceeded.

As if that wasn’t enough, the akagera national park administration had to look for ways of how to extend water from Ihema Lake to outside parts surrounding the park so that cattle drink from the outside.

Apart from water problem, residents surrounding the park had their crops destroyed by the animals that could escape from the park not mentioning claiming their lives sometimes.

Residents are optimistic that once fencing is over, all the problems of animals destroying their crops will be over. The affected residents are from Ndego, Mwili and one part of Murundi sector that neighbor with Akagera national park.

On Monday 10th.Feb.2013, delegates from Rhenanie –Palatinat Province in Germany paid a visit the house of former king of Rwanda Mutara III Rudahigwa as a way of finding out the real life experiences of the former Rwandan king and the culture that existed then.

Reiner Meutsch signing visitors’ books

Different parts of the former king’s house were visited including the king’s bedroom chambers and where he would eat. After visiting different parts of the former king’s palace locally known as Rukali, the of Rhenanie –Palatinat Province delegates to Rwanda were happy for the visit and got to know about Rwandan history since most of them were in Rwanda for the first time.

Rhenanie –Palatinat Province representatives learning the history about the former king

Reiner Meutschwho led the team of representatives signed in the visitors’ book expressing the excitement they got from the visit they made to the former King’s palace (Rukali) and learning great history from this place.

“We’re glad for this visit and the warm welcome accorded to us by Rwandans” he wrote.

The delegates of Rhenanie –Palatinat Province in Germany came to Rwanda on the 9th.Feb.2013 while visiting different regions of Rwanda evaluating different programs and projects including schools that were built on the partnership of Germany and Rwanda.

The richness of a country’s history and heritage are very important aspects that create an identity for people of any nation in the world. Rwanda has a rich history that dates back to the Kingdoms, colonial and post colonial times; which has for long not been explored to attract local and foreign tourism, bring in revenue and create awareness on the culture of the Rwandan people.

Unlike in some countries where historical sites and heritages have been central aspect of cultural tourism, Rwanda has not been privileged to do likewise due to many aspects.

Thus since 2007, the government of Rwanda decided to refocus on the importance of museums and heritage sites by establishing the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR) as a way of restoring these historical values and aspects, which the colonial rule struggled to destroy Rwanda so as to have an upper hand on the people of Rwanda.

According to Mr. Alphonse Umuliisa, the Director of INMR, the revival of the museums is intended to revive this rich past as a way of promoting tourism, a sense of identity, and create awareness of who Rwandans actually are, and to have fun.

The new strategy and agenda of the INMR shows that there are so far signs of progress to attain this goal. So far the number of museums in Rwanda has increased from one to six museums, and the heritages sites (which were literally forgotten) have been revived to over 80 sites (from 24 sites) across the country.

Umuliisa says that this setback is mainly attributed to the colonial rule which, for political purposes didn’t open these aspects to the people of Rwanda and thus a loss of identity. The other aspect is that cultural tourism was and especially museum were considered a western aspect meant for the colonialists and the local only hardly ever visited such sites, even though it was for free.

Today, Umuliisa believes that this trend is changing and the numbers of local and foreign tourists interested in knowing the history, having fun and exploring Rwanda’s past and heritage has increased (tripled from 22.000 in 2009 to 26.000 in 2011 and 40.000 in 2012) due to the emphasis on promoting cultural tourism and reviving some of the ‘lost’ heritages sites across the country.

Before 2007 there was only one museum in Rwanda- this was called the national museum of Rwanda- located in former Butare province (a then Colonial capital) which is now Huye district in the southern province of Rwanda. However, the number of museums has grown from one in 2007 to six museums in 2013.

These include- the Ethnographic museum in Huye, King’s Palace Museum-Rukari in Nyanza, National Art Gallery-Rwesero in Nyanza, Natural History Museum –Kandt House in Kigali, Presidential Palace-Kanombe in Kigali, and the Environmental Museum in Karongi.

Specialty of each museum today

Ethnographic museum (former National Museum of Rwanda)

The former national museum of Rwanda has been turned into the Ethnographic museum- Inaugurated on September 18th 1989 and located in Huye, Not until 2007, the National Museum of Rwanda (most well-known museum in Rwanda) was the only Museum in the country. This museum houses perhaps the finest ethnographic and archaeological collections in East Africa with more than 10,000 artefacts. Absorbing displays of traditional artefacts are illuminated by a fascinating selection of turn-of-the-century monochrome photographs, providing insight not only into pre-colonial lifestyles, but also into the subsequent development of Rwanda as a modern African state.

According to Alphonse Umuliisa, the Director of the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda (INMR), this is intended to tell the social and cultural aspects of Rwanda. This is where you find the famous aspects of culture of cows which is told through the Inyamibwa cows.

Umuliisa, whose PHD thesis dissertation was on the history of Rwanda, cautions that this word (Inyamibwa) shouldn’t be translated at all to keep the original essence of the word. When I refused to translate this word in my dissertation, I lost a few marks for that. But the reality is that some words cannot be put in any other language. This is why there is a promotion project called

But literally the Inyamibwa are a symbol of Rwanda’s heritage and pride- these are long horned cows which are not used for meat or any other purpose but for the special events- like marriage gifts, wedding bride price; for the welcome of the king and other special occasions only.

Under the reign of King Yuhi V Musinga in 1899, Nyanza became the royal capital
of the country. The court became the home of the artistic and intellectual activities and was also a place for economic exchange. Today, a replica of the traditional Royal Palace sits at Rukari. The impressive, enormous domed structure is made entirely with traditional materials, has been painstakingly restored to its 19th century state and is now maintained as a museum.

National Arts Museum-Rwesero

Located across the valley from the Museum of Rwandan Ancient History and the
Nyanza Royal Palace, the Rwesero Arts Museum displays contemporary artwork which testifies to the originality of Rwandan creativity, while not overlooking either tradition or national history. The pieces show the originality of Rwandan creativity and its rich history.

The museum was originally built as a Palace for King Mutara III Rudahingwa but he passed away before occupying it.

The Museum of Rwandan Ancient History

This one was once the residence of King Mutara III Rudahingwa, this museum also sits at Rukari near to the Royal Palace. This Palace has been restored and offers a glimpse into Rwandan life as it once was. On the neighboring hill of Mwima, King Mutara III and his wife Queen Rosalie Gicanda are buried.

A traditional house, a thatched hut, was erected at the Ancient History Museum. It is an imitation of the King’s palace. In ancient times, thatched houses were typical for African homesteads.

The King’s palace differed from a regular homestead. His house had three separate poles on which the roof rests while houses for the common people had only one. There were no doors in the huts. But no one would enter without announcing their arrival.

When the Belgians colonial masters arrived in Rwanda, they changed the traditional lifestyle of the Kings. A modern palace was constructed for King Mutara III Rudahingwa which is now the museum that displays Rwandan history from the 15th Century.

Both the Museum of Rwandan Ancient History and the Rwesero Arts Museum are located 2km outside Nyanza town in the southern Province. It is very important to note that Nyanza district is considered a historical area since it still holds these heritages that actually speak to the people of Rwanda.

Another most prominent aspect of the Rwandan culture is the Cow and Milk- which are very powerful symbols of the culture of Rwandans.

“The cows were treasured by the people. There was a special selection of the ones that would be brought to the royal palace. People used to sing to them. The cows were decorated with beads before parading them before the King,” explains Ines Umulisa a tourist guide at Ancient History Museum.

The Museum of Natural History

This museum is located in Nyarugenge district, in heart of Kigali City. It is commonly known as ‘Kandt house’ – because it was a residence once occupied by German scientist, Dr. Richard Kandt. The house has been turned into the Museum of Natural History. A scientist by profession, Richard Kandt was the first German Imperial resident in Rwanda and this museum is homage to his work. The Germany government handover the site and its artifacts to the government of Rwanda, this January 2013

In the pipeline:

More museums are due to be officially launched in Rwanda. These include: Presidential Palace-Kanombe in Kigali, the Environmental Museum in Karongi and the Liberation.

On 17th December 2012, President Paul Kagame laid the foundation stone for the proposed Liberation Museum in Kaniga Cell, in Gicumbi District (previously called Mulindi- historic camp spot for the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) forces which were led by Late Fred Rwigema and President Paul Kagame respectively, during the liberation struggle that ousted the then government of late Juvenal Habyarimana- whose government is held responsible for killing close to one million Rwandans during the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994.

The Environmental Museum is due to be opened in former Kibuye Province (now Karongi district). According to the INMR director, the museum will be the first of its kind and it will share some of the historical fossils of reptiles from neighboring countries such as Burundi, so as to attract more regional tourism.

While the Presidential Palace-Kanombe in Kigali is attributed to the former presidents of rwanda. This site was formerly occupied as a residence for Juvenal Habyarimana and Pasteur Bizimungu. This is also one of the visited sites and it is to be revamped so as to attract more tourists who are interested in witnessing how these former presidents lived amidst poverty in the community.

Others projects include the King’s swearing spot in the Northern Province and the National Harvest Day, and the Irembo Ritahibwa Inyamibwa (literally meaning the Inyamibwa Cow ceremony) among others.

The Director of INMR says that though the museum project depends largely on the government funding with an annual budget of Rwf1.3billions, cultural tourism can regenerate money in africa and especially in Rwanda.

Today, museums are tourist attractions which are supposed to bring in revenue for the country. The charges for visiting the Ancient History Museums are Rwf200 for Rwandan students and Rwf500 for adults (this applies for neigboruing countries). Then resident foreigners pay Rwf3000 while non–residents pay Rwf6000 and foreign students pay Rwf1000.

Apparently, in Rwanda, you cannot talk about its history of Rwanda without talking about the genocide that was perpetrated against the Tutsi in various periods of 1959, 1960’s and the climax of it all in 1994.

This has become essential history for the people of Rwanda and by reflecting and keeping memory of what happened then, and its impact to people who were once united, has become part of Rwanda’s heritage (documented at Gisozi memorial site) of building unity and reconciliation in the post genocide era, which has also been central in the witness of rapid growth and development of a country once torn by divisions.